1991 Leaf Studio Bobby Thigpen #17
Bobby Thigpen · Leaf (Donruss) · Base
Player
Bobby Thigpen
Set
1991 Leaf Studio
Year
1991
Card #
#17
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) - Centering is significantly off-top to bottom; visible white chipping and rough edges on the left and bottom; soft corners.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Leaf (Donruss)
Demand Level
Low/Niche - Most buyers would only seek this as part of a team set or a complete 1991 Studio set. There is very little individual demand for Thigpen base cards today.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.10 - $0.50
Graded Value
PSA 8: $5.00 - $10.00; PSA 9: $15.00 - $20.00; PSA 10: $35.00 - $50.00 (Note: Grading cost far exceeds market value for this specific card condition).
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales show complete sets of 1991 Studio (264 cards) selling for $10-15. Individual commons like this typically sell for $0.99 with free shipping, resulting in no profit after fees.
Description
The 1991 Studio Bobby Thigpen features the iconic 'portrait' design of the early 90s. The card depicts the White Sox closer in a casual, head-in-hand pose in color, overlaid against a black and white action shot of him pitching. The card uses a matte, cardboard-finish stock with gray/silver borders and the teal/blue Studio logo in the bottom left corner.
Key Features
Bobby Thigpen set the then-major league record for saves in a single season (57) just one year prior to this release; unique 'studio portrait' photography style which was a departure from standard action cards.
Authenticity Indicators
Genuine card. Confidence: High. This card is not targeted by counterfeiters due to high production volume and low market value (Junk Wax Era). Print patterns and card stock are consistent with 1991 Donruss/Leaf production.
Flaws to Note
Heavy edge wear/chipping along the left margin and bottom edge; bottom-right corner is soft/rounded; vertical centering is shifted toward the bottom; surface may have minor scuffing typical of this matte card stock.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a bulk White Sox team lot or a 1991 set on eBay. It is essentially a 'common' card usually found in 25-cent bins at card shows or local card shops.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card. The grading fees would be 20x the card's value. To sell, include it in a 'Lot' of White Sox cards from the 90s to maximize shipping efficiency via eBay Standard Envelope.